Consumer TechConsumer technology is going to exist indefinitely, perhaps for as long as the human species exists. At CleanTechnica, we try to feature consumer technologies that help to reduce global warming pollution and other types of pollution. For example: electric cars, solar panels, bikes, energy efficient appliances and electronics, and green smartphone apps. Keep an eye on this category for all sorts of fun and cool, helpful consumer technology.

Renewables Benefit Island Tourism, Says New IRENA Report

With the local tourist season ending this Labor Day, it’s time for a look at how renewables can benefit island tourism, which stays open year-round. Island policy makers, private sector investors, international financial institutions, renewable energy companies, power utilities, operators of hotel chains, and tourism businesses all have something to gain from a new report on renewable energy solutions from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Tourism often drives island economies, but the need to import costly petroleum products, notably diesel, can reduce financial gains. Energy supply in the form of air conditioning, water heating, lighting, and other hotel needs is a critically important component of the resort experience. Both the environmental impacts of fossil-fuel use and the volatility of oil prices mean that tourism-based economies must sometimes operate on a financial roller-coaster.

Renewable energy technologies can strengthen sustainable development and marketing strategies in the island tourism sector, reduce its operating costs, and lower its environmental footprint. The latter factor benefits both island residents and the growing number of “ecotourists” who willingly pay a little extra to enjoy the more sustainable lifestyle.

IRENA presents case studies of four resorts and hotels:

Turtle Beach Resort in Barbados saved $1.5 million over a 16-year period after installing a solar water heating system.

Turtle Island Resort in Fiji is saving $250,000 annually with its PV system.

Rethymno Village Hotel in Crete saves 70,000 kilowatt hours a year for cooling with its solar air conditioning system.

The analysis and the four case studies show that impressive benefits can accrue from installing renewable energy systems for island tourism.

IRENA’s study concludes with the following:

“This report shows that renewable energy technologies (RETs) represent an economically attractive option for the island tourism sector. The cost of air conditioning and water heating from RETs is considerably lower than using electricity generated from diesel for the same service, while solar PV can generate electricity more cheaply than utility tariffs or self-generation from diesel in most islands.”

It’s a short report, but packed with information and food for thought. Useful tables, figures, and text boxes hammer home IRENA’s very important point. As well as increasing environmental benefits and increasing self-sufficiency, island renewables can reduce uncertainties and actually provide a marketing advantage.

If you can lay the intake/outflow pipes without doing too much damage, and have deep water close by. Then the sea water cooling is a real no brainer. It has been done more than a few places, so investment risk is very low.

Offgridman

I think that risk is negligible for these types of systems, it is getting to be fairly old tech now. 20-25 years ago I ran a cooling tower on one of the giant hotels outside of Disney world in Florida, during the cooler months (sub 80° F) we just operated as standard air cooled tower. When it got hotter than that it would be worth the extra power to combine the pumps that circulated water up from deep in the underground aquifer (something like 2-250 feet). There was more hassle with keeping water chemistry right with the salts and minerals to avoid pump and pipe corrosion, but it balanced out well enough with the extra load on the tower when the temp’s hit 90-100° every day and we had over a thousand rooms wanting seventy degrees inside.

Wind Energy

Search the IM Network

The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.